
Qass 






/ 



DISCOUESE, 



DELIVERED 



/ 



IN MILFOIII), (MASS.) i^ Q ^ 

_ jij II ■lH 1 TBI 

LORD'S DJir, OCTOBER so, 1814; 



OK 



cccasioseh bt the 



RETURN OF A C031PANY OF ARTILLERY 



CNDER 



CAPTAIN RUFUS THAYER, 



paoH 



CAMP, AT SOUTH-BOSTOX. 



BY I) Win LONG, A. M 

MINISTKU OF THE TO\V>-, 



'UBLISHF.D Af 'THE REOUEST OF ■THE HEAHERS. 

BOSTON : 

PBiNTEn FOB g. T. iRMsrnoxG, so. 50, cornhili. 

1814. 



t- - 






.LS4 



DISCOURSE 



LAMENTATIONS III. 22. 

IT IS or THE IORD's MERCIES THAT WE ARE KOT COysrMED, BECAl"SE HIS 

COMPASSIOSS lATl, KOT. 

This passage was wvittsn in a time of great 
calamity. The tLnTitories of the Jewish nation had 
been invaded bv their enemies. Some of their cities 
bad been taken and destroyed. Manv of. the inha- 
bitants had heen shiin by the sword, and others led 
into captivity. These events tended to call to w.'iud 
the prevailing sins of the land, which had excited 
the Divine displeasnre. Still, however, the goodness 
of God appeared in the preservalion of those who 
remained. Hence the pro[diet, a\ hile deeply aficcted 
with a sense of public calamities, remembers and 
makes mention of that goodness toward those A\ho 
still enjoyed protection. While he acknowledges, 
that the Lord had aMicled them for the mullidide of 
their transgressions ; he aclinowledges, also, tliat 
through his mercy many are siill pieserved and en- 
joy safety. " It is of the Lord's mercies that wq arc 
not consumed, because his compassions fail not.** 
He was couviuccd thai they owed tlicir protection. 



not to their own power or wisdom, but to the super- 
iiitendiiig providence of God. This is a i;cneral 
truth, and may be extensively applied. 

DOCTRINE. 

All t]»e safetv which men rniov in times of 
danger is by the merciful providence of God. 

By suitable attention to the subject, ihin propo 
sition will appear correct. 

It refpiires but little observation and experience 
to prove to our rational understandins;;, that men are 
incapable of securing; themselves fnun dangjcr. ]n 
numeral>ie unforeseesi events mav occur, airairist 
which no iiunian [>ower or skill can provide, which 
may expose our health. ourliml>s. and ultimately our 
lives, and which niiiv incapacitate us for any exertion 
to secure ourselves. We arc sometimes placed in a 
situation, and that by our own instrumentality, ii> 
wiiich U!) human arm can reach us to contril)Ute the 
least assistance. Or if help be at hand, it often 
proves unavailiui:;, by some fatal error, or even some 
tri(rm<r ntistake iu the choice of means. In such a 
case, we see full proof, tiiat \s e are wlioUy dei>endenL 
on God for preservation. Jf we are secured, we arc 
secured by his merciful iuterjHJsilion. A\ljen ^\ c 
consider, in how many Avays evils may overtake us, 
A\ hich ^^(' have not the sagacity to foresee, and which 
Me could WiA. escape, if we did foresee tlicm. we are 
necessitrrted to ad.mit. that while we live, we are cnc 
ry moment subjects of divine ])rotection. 

The finmnn cousilitiiilon is liable to innumera- 
ble diseases. \\ Ijich. if in'ruiitted (u- commis.sioned. 
Mill ballle ilie most profuuiul n;e<lical skill, irresi.s 
tiidy proceed to their llual issue, and leriuinatc i** 



deiitli. A predisposition to those diseases is oftea 
excited iu the constitution by tlic very means which 
Mve use for the support of life, or for the gratification 
of the corporeal appetites. When such predisposf- 
tioii to disease is once excited, the invisible, noxious 
qualities, or particles floating in the air which we 
breathe, may incorporate with the circulating fluids, 
and induce the most fatal maladies. To such cala- 
mities the human constitution is often rendered acces- 
sible, by a slight, and perhaps iniperccpliJde devia- 
tion from strict temperance in the manner of living. 
To these incidents we may add those by which irra- 
tional animals, or inanimate thins;Sj which are useful 
in themselves, may be let loose upon us. The ani- 
mals wiiich me employ in our service, instead of pro- 
ducing tlie advantage which we design, may put our 
lives in jeopardy, or bring them to a close. Fire* 
and water, those elements which are indispensable in 
the economy of life, may become our stlre conductors 
to the gates of death. 

But the exciting causes of danger are not found 
alone in tlie material .world. Tlie human mind is 
subject to a variety of restless passions, which often 

* This reference tlie liearers, at the time, readily un 
derstood. In the preceding week, a distressing event occurred 
in this town, in wl'.ich a buihling, comprehending a saw-mill, 
a clothier's shop and die-house, and a weaver's apartment, 
took fire. Two young men, apprentices to the clothier, escap- 
ed from the second lol't, by leaping from a window, and suc- 
ceeded in securing two small ehildren belonging to one of th« 
weavers. But so rapid was the progress of the ili'stroying ele- 
ment, that, in spite of every exertion, two women peiishcd in 
the flames. 



6 

rage bevond control. Men have their separate, and 
often tiuies contending interests. 15y pursuing these, 
tlieir plans of operation often interfere. The selfish 
passions, impatient of opposition or restraint, inspire 
revenge and rage. Hence originate destructive wars 
and desolating; conflicts. We have not the controul 
of other men's passions, nor have they the controul 
of ours. Contention may be easily excited, but not 
so easily restrained or allayed. A\ lien nations erect 
the standard of war, a system of plunder, devastation, 
and cruel and relentless slaugliter, becomes legalized. 
The contending parties are disposed to vie >vith each 
other, in inflicting wounds, and spreading desolation. 
Intent on victory, each seeks the advantage, till death, 
the king of terrors, with countless miseries in his train, 
often triumphs over both. In such a state, danger 
is never wanting. Many are called to leave their 
tluellings, their families and friends, the scenes of 
domestic traiujuillity, to meet a frowning foe, and to 
return no more. On the san^ruinarv altar, unnum- 
bered tlirongs arc immolated, while through tlie mar- 
tial Held echoes the din of arms, announcing to j-fllict- 
cd hearts the solemn tidings. Happy the nation, 
which is not called to such a scene ! Happy the men, 
whose lot is free from the alarm of ^^ ar ! Self-de- 
fence, liowever, may sometimes imperituisly call men 
to the field, and juj^tify them in obeying the call. 
I^it dauirer none the less attends, and noiu' the less 
they need divine protectittn. If they are preserved, 
it is bv a divine hand. He who holds the <lestinies 

ft • 

of men. ran discourage an enemy from hostile at- 
inr.pts, or defi-at his entcrprizes. So lie sonu'times 
docs, and brings those buck in safety, ^^\^o might, in 



common uUli olhers in arms, liave rallen to lise no 
more. Viewing the many ways in which danger, 
unforeseen or nnavoidahle, may approach, we may 
confidenUy believe, that all the snfcty irliich men en- 
jo]} in times of danger , is by the merciful providence 
of God. And those who escape may witli propriety 
adopt the language of the prophet, " It is of the 
Lord's mercies that wc are not consumed, because 
his compassions fail not." 

In view of the leading idea now illustrated, we 
are conducted to the necessary conclusion, that wlien- 
ever we enjoy safety, we are under obligations of 
gratitude and praise to God for preservation. liea- 
son dictates that wc should thnnkfuUy acknowledge 
favours received from the hand of any being, on 
vhom we have no legal claim. When that which is 
essential to our happiness, comfort, or convenience, 
is gratuitously bestowed, it confers an obligation. 
And when we have neither the means, nor the abili- 
ty, to return a reward, gratitude becomes an indispen- 
sable duty. And when it is considered, that this 
costs us nothing but a reasonable and agreeable ex- 
ercise of tije heart, expressed in the language of the 
lips and correspondent actions, no excuse for the ne- 
glect can be admitted. When, therefore, God mani- 
fests his merciful interposition in our favor, in j^re- 
serviijg us in times of danger, or in securing us 
as-ainst danjrer, we ou2:ht thankfully to rcmem])er 
where our safety lies, by whose hand we liave been 
secured, and to whom we are )ndei)ted for such fa- 
vours. When he requires nothing more in return for 
such goodness than a th.aukful improvement, we 
should readily give him all our hearts, and raise our 



8 

voices in his praise. And this, we may be assnred, 
is not only just, hut honorable. "VVho does not, in 
tlie coinnion walks of life, esteem a man the better for 
expressing proper ,i;ratitude for favours received from 
his fellow men ? Hon much more suitable and hon- 
orable, then, is becojnini; gratitude to that God on 
M horn we art at all times dependent, and from whom 
we receive everv favour? 

t/ 

If, then, all our safety is in the merciful provi- 
dence of God, and if gratitude is due to him for pro- 
tection ; hence Me may be assured, that gratitude will 
be an acceptable oflering ; and that those, who sin- 
cerely present it, have reason to hope for future mer- 
cies, whenever they shall be needed. To shew the 
correctness of this, we may reason from analogy. M\ g 
know by our own experience, that when we confer a 
favour on any of our felloAv creatures, if they suitably 
acknowledge the favour, and manifest thankfulness, 
we are pleased. And we are pleased, because they 
appear as we know they ought to appear. AVhen we 
perceive tliat they possess such a disposition, we mark 
them as being suitable persons on wliora to bestow 
favours. And we are even more ready to grant a 
second favour than the first, because tlien we have 
previous evidence that it will be well received, and 
that it will not be lost upon them. Ho have Me rea- 
son to believe, that gratitude is pleasing in the sight 
of God, and tends to secure his future favour. Tiiose 
who have experienced his protection, when called in- 
to exposed stations, and have exercised gratitude 
for his goodness, have reason to rely with confidence 
on liis readiness to conliiuje his favours. They may 
again repair a\ ith cheerfulness to tlie post of danger. 



\vlien duty calls, even uhere life is exposed^ relying 
on divine protection. Such a disposition and such 
actions are truly noble, and worthy of imitation. And 
could we oftener hear acknowledgments of depend- 
ence on divine protection, and see gratitude for pre- 
servation manifested, by men whose lot it is to be cal- 
led into perilous scenes, we might oftener enjoy the 
consoling hope, that protection would be extended, 
and success would be granted. But the want of such 
acknowledgments often covers with a gloomy veil the 
most important undertakings. And the want of such 
gratitude often fixes a stain on the most brilliant ac- 
tions. Success, in the most important enterprizes, 
we have reason to believe, is sometimes lost through 
a criminal neglect of acknowledging God. In pro- 
portion to the evidence which we see, that gratitude 
for fjivours is acceptable to God, and calculated to 
insure his future favour, we have also evidence, that 
ingratitude under the enjoyment of divine protection 
is dangerous. It is reasonable to suppose, that God 
i]iay be provoked to withdraw his protection from 
those who will not thank him for it. 

In view of what has been said, all might with 
propriety be reminded of their dependence on the su- 
perintending providence of God, and their perpetual 
obligations to exercise gratitude for safety at any time 
enjoyed. But waving for the present a general ap- 
plication, it is proper that we notice, on this occasion, 
the gratifying event which we now have the pleasure 
to witness, of the safe return of our friends and fel- 
low citizens, who had been called out for tlic defence 
of our rights and liberties. With heartfelt emotions 
we welcome them to the friendly society of those 



10 

irom wliom they had been separated, and whose best 
"wishes have not ceased to follow them duriug tlieir 
aby:( rsee. The order which called them to leave their 
friends and llieir peaceful dwellings, was more indi- 
calive of diui:;tir than of safety. In other parts of the 
theatre of action, many who had been called in like 
manner, had fallen on the sfinj^uine field. The pos- 
sibility was, that such might be the lot of some of 
these. And what events were before theni, no one 
conld certainly know. Tliey donbtless viewed them- 
selves as proceeding to an exposed situation, wliere 
military operations might be something more than 
mere amusement. Their connexions whom they left 
belli nd, probably felt a similar impression. The 
pencil of anxious imagination was perhaps added to 
heighten the already glowing colours, and even to 
exaggerate the idea of d?.nger. Although it was un- 
certain whether life would be at all exposed, yet be- 
cause it might be so, the fears of relatives, uniting; 
with alloction, might almost persuade them, that the 
then parting scene would be a final one. It might 
indeed so liave proved. On such an occasion, no- 
tiiing conld he more suitalne, than an acknowledg- 
ment of dependence on the Ruler of nations, and 
seeking him by prayer. A request was sent to the 
present speaker, by the proper authority, in an honor- 
able uiauner, for this purpose. And surely nothing 
but extreme bodily indisposition,* could have pre- 
vented a ready compliance. But many hearts have 
been earnestly engaged in interceding for their safety 

* Tlie author was then labo'jrlus under a paroxysm of 
ihe SLSllunii. 



11 

and protection. And tlaougli tlic interposition of Di* 
%'ine Providence, in restrainint^ the enemy and pre- 
venting diseases and otlier incidents, safety lias bceu 
their lot, and their reluni is witnessed with pleasing 
satisfaction. A tribute of gratitude is due from them 
for preserving mercy. Let your hearts, my friends, 
glow with thankful emotions to the all powerful 
Disposer of events, for the favours already received. 
And in view of past goodness, learn to trust his faith- 
ful hand for future protection. You will lose nothing 
by confiding in and openly acknowledging God, in 
every irijportant undertaking, and in every scene of 
danger. Learn to trust him, and he will take care of 
you. And should you ever again be called forth in 
arms for the defence of the country (which may God 
prevent by the speedy return of peace) we flatter our- 
selves, that the military character which both Officers 
and Soldiers have established, for promptitude and 
regular habits, will remain unsullied, and that your 
valour will abide the test of trial. And be assured 
that our most earnest desires for your preservation 
will again follow you. 

A tribute of gratitude is also due to God from 
the families and connexions of those who have thus 
returned in safety. You, my friends, are not called, 
as many others have been, to hear the heart-rending 
tidings, that your friends had fallen on the field of 
battle. Here you see them,* after being called out 
for our defence, safely returned to your friendly so- 
ciety and the enjoyments of domestic life. Ilemem- 

* The Company was present as a body, by mutual a- 
greement. 



< 



ber, that God has done it : and by your present gra~ 
titude secure liis future kindness. 

Let us all feel our obligations to God for this 
and all other expressions of his goodness. And let 
an answerable improvement insure to us an interest 
in his favour. Tlicn may we be handed through the 
changing scenes and troubles of llie present life in 
peace, and at last hear the welcome sentence, *•' Well 
done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the 
joy of your Lord." There may we rest from all our 
toils and sufferings, free from the alarms of war, be- 
yond the reach of sin and sorrow ; and, in the pre- 
sence of the Almighty Conqueror, the Pkince or 
PeacE; dwell together in eternal day. 



& 






